Launching and landing of aeroplanes



J. B. HARmss. LAUNCHING AND LANDING 0F AERPLANES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1917.

Patented SepI. 5, 192.2.

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J. B. HARRISS.

LAUNCHING AND LANDING 0F AEROPLANES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE23, 19|?. 11,428, l 63. Patented Sept. 5, 1922 5 SHEETS*SHEET 2.

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@Wa/ffm@ I J. B. HARRISS. LAUNCHING AND LANDING 0F AEROPLANES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 19.17.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

] nue/veto z) J. B. HARRISS. LAUNCHING AND LANDING oF AERoPLANEs.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23| 19|?.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922..

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LAUNCHING AND LANDING OF AEROPLANES.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 23,1917.

1,428, 1 63. Panasept. 5, 1922'.

VFA. n 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5. VVV' "nu @Maw/fm W@ Patented Sept'. 5, l1922.

l UNITED STTES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. HARRISS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

. LAUNCHING AND LANDING OF AEROPLANES.

Application led 'J'une 23,

. lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to the launching and landing of aeroplanes or the like, pertaining more particularly to means whereby flights may be made from and to vessels while under way or from and to other forms of predetermined stations.

Sea planes can readily rise or alight on the surface of the sea when the latter is comparatively smooth. Under such weather conditions the sea plane'is simply lowered. from the deck ofthe vessel to the surface of the sea, after which the flight is made in the usual mannen'the plane returning and being again drawn on board. YVhere. however, the vessel is moving at high speed it is more or less difficult to provide this action, and where the sea is rough, such action is practically useless owing to the diiiiculty of the sea plane to rise under such conditions.

The present invention is designed for use more particularly under such rough conditions and contemplates the use of means for launching the sea plane directly from the vessel without the use of a separate launching car, the means being so arranged as to permit the plane to readily and quickly alight on return from the flight. The invention also contemplates the use of simple and eilicient mechanism for accomplishing these ends.

.To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings. and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, in side elevation, of a war ship showing my invention 1917. Serial No. 176,476.

applied thereto in position to launch a sea plane.

Fig. 2. is a similar view showing the invention 1n position for alighting or'landing of the plane.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus, showing a plane resting thereon at the end of the landing operation.

Flg. el is an edge view of the apparatus of F 1g. 3 1-n position at the beginning of the landing operation.

Fig. 5 is afront elevationI of the apparatus 1n alighting formation.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 1s a View in side elevation of a portionof the apparatus in launching position.

F 1g. 8 1s a sectional View taken'on line 8 8 of Fig. Fig. 9 .is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Flg. 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views taken respectively on' lines 10-10 and 11-11 of Fig. 7 l

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing a modied arrangement. 1

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional View of parts shown in Fig. 12. i

Vhile the present invention is designed more partlcularly for launching sea planes from vessels, it 1s applicable for use under other conditions, as for instance, the .launchmg of aeroplanes or other forms of air ships from predetermined stations, and it is to be understood that such various uses are contemplated by the invention. For purposes with lthe track extending substantially hori`V zontally- Aft/er launching, the apparatus is manipulated to produce alanding structure. and the track shifted to the vertical. This places the landing structure at a point where it may obstruct and check Athe [iight of the "gay sea plane, the latter having a nose which ture bringing a supporting structure beneath the sea plane as the track proaches the horizontal. sea plane can pass into contact with the landing apparatus while moving at a speed suficient to sustain the plane, after which the mo-tor speed of the plane can be readily reduced, since shifting of the track brings a mechanical sustaining element for the plane into action, so that the plane will come to rest by the timethe track reaches its horizontal, the plane at this time being supported entirely by the landing structure.

As will be understood, specific structures for carrying out these general principles may be of different forms, and the inventionV is therefore not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, the invention contemplating such changes or modicationsl in structure as may fall within the spirit' and scope ofthe invention as expressed in the claims when broadly construed.

In theembodiment shown, the structure is more or less diagrammatically illustrated, and includes elements permanently carried by the vessel and elements permanently carried by the sea plane. I

20 designates a support carrying a shaft 21 mounted in .bearings 22, the shaft` being adapted to be driven by suitable means such as a motor 23 through proper drive connections.

Connected to shaft 21 by a suitable connection, such for instance, as knuckle con-l an upper track element 25a of suitable length, and a lower track element 25b of less length, these elements extending in parallel-'- ism and being maintained properly positioned by braces 25. As shown in Fig. 11, each track element isprovided with an inwardly extending way or guide 2,6, these guides opposing each other.

(lo-operating 4with guides 26 are grooved rollers 27 carried by pontoons a of the sea plane A, any suitable connection between the pontoons 'and the rollers being employed,

a preferred arrangement being to mountv poses, the track members are shifted to the full line position shown in Fig. 5, spreadl eachr roller on a slidab'le support 28, said Asupport includingl a cushioning device 29 which may act as a shock-absorber under certain conditions.

(lo-operation between rollers 27 and the track members is had during the launching operation, at which time the track members extend in parallelism as indicated by the dot and dash lines a: in Fig 5, the tracks ex` tending in a horizontal plane at this time.

As a res-ult, the v When .the plane isl in position ready for launching, rollers 27 rest on track element speed, the lifting planes ofthe sea plane are brought into action, raising the rollers into contact with the upper track element 25a which thus forms a guide for the advancing'lsea plane. Track elements 25b are of sufficient length to generally sustain the sea plane until the latter acquires a sufficient speed to sustain itself in flight, track element 25a projecting beyond the advance end of track element 25h. Mounted on the upper face of track element 25a adjacent to its advance end are a plurality of stop elements 30, these being adapted to co-operate with an arm 31 carried by each support 28, arm 31 and stops 30 being relatively positioned to be inactive when proper launching of the sea plane is had; should, however, the speed of the sea plane in advancing along the track, be insufficient to provide for the selfsustaining action of the plane, the plane will tend to fall when rollers 27 pass off of track element 25h, at which time arms 31 contact with the upper face of track 25a or with a stop 30, che-cking the plane while supporting launching device and not become lost by passing-from the device under a speed insuflicient to sustain the plane within the air. The track members may be held in their parallel relation in any suitable manner, the drawings, showing the use of a strap inember 32 which acts to hold these members in this position.l In addition, suitable guys 330 ma be employed.

s shown in Fig. 1, the structure may be' mounted at any suitable point of the vessel, this view. showing the support as having a suiiicient .vertical length to locate the track,

`in horizontal position, above the turrets, the

latterl carrying a suitable support for the advanceend of the track. Consequently the structure offers no obstruction to the use of the guns. l

During the launching operation, the space between the track members is practically unobstructed, so that, the proper action of the lifting planescan be had. After launching has been completed, and it is desired to place the apparatus in condition for landing puring or diverging the outer ends of the track is raised to the vertical, as shown for instance in full lines in Fig. 2, the length of track element 25a being preferably such as to place the net structures 33 and 34 at a point suliiciently above the superstructures of the vessel as to permit a clear approach by the aviator to these structures.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the sea plane carries a suitable member 36 which practically forms a nose projecting in advance of the plane.

lVhen the aviator desires to land, he drives the plane toward the net structures in such manner as to cause the nose to be brought into contact with net' structure 33 which obsructs and checks the advance movement of the sea plane. 'vhen this takes place, the track structure is shifted toward the horizontal, thus presenting a' resistance to the advance of the sea plane at its normal sustaining speed without, however, stopping the sea plane from advance movement. As the track structure lowers, the speed of the sea plane is reduced and net struct-ure 34 becomes active to sustain the sea plane, so that the latter comes to rest while supported on the net structures.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a modified arrangement by means of which net structure 33 is pivotalllv mounted. In this figure 40 indicates a sleeve or cap adapted to be mounted at the outer end of each member 25, suitable detachable securing means, as

for instance a pin 41, retaining the sleeve in position. '42 indicates a member pivotally connected to sleeve 40, member 42 carrying the devices to which net structure 334 is secured, it being understood that the sleeve and member structure is-duplicated at op posite sides of the net so that the latter is suspended between the opposed member 42, the net structure extending on-opposite sides of 4the points of pivotal connection. As a result, members 42 and the net structure constitute a frame swingingly mounted in sleeves 40 and presenting the yielding supported net. lVeight structuresv may be made operative at the inner ends of members 42 in any manner, as by being adjustably supported on these members, as indicated at 43.

By this arrangement, net structure 33 will normally extend in a vertical plane regardless of the movement of the track structures. lVhen, therefore, the aviator contacts with the net structure and lowering of the apparatus begins, structure 33 will tend to maintain a vertical position and restrain the plane from moving off the apparatus. Obviously, ythe sleeves and frame structure may be positioned on or removed from member 25 as a unit. A

As heretofore pointed out, and asy indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus is preferably located in such position that the net structures are freely accessible to the returning aviator, and in such manner that the direction in which members 25 move when lowered will be that in which the vessel is moving. This arrangement is advantageous by reason of the tact that the advancing movement of the aeroplane is not entirely check when contacting with the net structures. lVhile checking ot'- such movement may ensue where the advancing speed of the vessel is less than the minimum speed which will sustain the aeroplane in air, the abrupt change in advance movement is decreased in amount as the speed of the vessel approaches the minimum sustaining speed of the plane in flight. Hence, the rapidity of lowering movement of the landing mechanism may be decreased.

Such positioning is also of advantage inv launching, enabling the aviator to more quickly obtain the {iight-speed, thus permitting the use of a runway-forming frame of less length. By the use of suitable block and tackle or crane mechanism, the plane may then be raised from the. net structures, permitting the net structures to be removed and the track members to be shifted to normal launching positions, after which the plane may be properly positioned in the track structure ready for launching. To permit of ready positioning of the plane, rollers 27 may be arranged with a removable side 27a (Fig. 10) which permits the plane to be placed in position and the track members then brought to launchin position, after which the removable sides 2g7a will be secured in position, thus'placing the parts in proper position for launching'.

As will be understood, the structure shown in the drawings is more or less diagram" matic, it being obvious that detail structural elements may require variation as to character and form in meeting the conditions presented by different types of installation. For instance, the particular form of the launchingand landing mechanism may re' quire one form when used in connection with vessels and a different form when used or the like of the pontoon type from predetermined stations` a plane runway including l a pair of substantially parallel track members; each member comprising a pair of track elements, and rotatable members carried by the pontoon structure and movable with the plane, each rotatable member cooperating'with a pair of track elements throughout the length of the latter in the movement to control the direction of plane direction of plane launching movement to control the direction of plane movement while being launched.

2. In apparatusfor launching aeroplanes or the like ofthe `pontoon type from predetermined stations, a plane runway including a pair of substantiallyvparallel track members, each member comprising a pair of track elements differing in length, and rotatable members carried by the pontoon structure and movable with the plane, each rotatable member co-operating with a pair of track elements throughout the length of the latter in the direction of plane launching movement to control the direction of plane movement while being launched.

3. In apparatus for launching aeroplanes or the like of the pontoon type from predetermined stations, a plane runway including a pair of substantially parallel track members, each member comprising a pair of vertically-alined parallel elements, and rotatable members carried by the pontoon structure and movable with the plane, each rotatable-member co-operating with a pair of track elements throughout the length of the latter in the direction of plane launching -movement while being launched.

4. In apparatus for launching aeroplanes or the like of the pontoon type from predetermined stations, a plane runway including a pair of substantially parallel track members, each member comprising a pair of verticallyalined parallel elements differing in length, and rotatable members carried by and movable with the plane, each rotatable member co-operating with a pair of track elements to control the direction of plane movement while being launched.

5. In apparat-us for launching aeroplanes or the like from predetermined stations, a planerunway including a pair of substantially parallel track members, each member comprising a pair of vertically-alined parallel elements differing in length with the element of greater length uppermost, and means carried by the plane and co-operating with the pairs of elements for controlling the direction ofplane movement while being launched.

6. In apparatus for launching aeroplanes or the like from predetermined stations, a plane runway including a pair of substantially parallel track members, each member comprising a pair of vertically-alined parallel elements differing'in length with the A element of greater length uppermost, and

means carried by the plane and co-operating withthe pairs of elements for controlling the direction of plane movement while being launched, said means including a rotatable member for each pair of elements, said rotatable member being initially supported by the lower element and by the upper eleaeroplane runway, rotatable Vmembers' permanently carried by the aeroplane and cooperating with the runway for controlling the direction ofaeroplane movement while being launched, and co-operating means `carried by the runway and aeroplane for preventing movement of the aeroplane from off the runway when the speed of travel of the aeroplane at a predetermined point in` its travel in the direction of length of the runway is insufiicient to sustain the aeroplane in flight.

9. In apparatus for launching aeroplanes or the like from predetermined stations, an aeroplane runway, rotatable members permanently carried by the aeroplaneand cooperating with the runway for controlling the direction of aeroplane movement while being launched, and co-operating means carried by the runway and aeroplane for preventing movement of the aeroplane from off the runway when the speed of travel of the aeroplane at a predetermined point in its travel in the direction of length of the runway is insuiicient to sustain the aeroplane in flight, said means including a stop member carried by therunway, and an arm carried by the aeroplane, said arm being out of the plane of the stop member during normal launching action `and movable into such plane when launching action is in- Y complete.

10. In apparatus for launching aeroplanes or thelike from predetermined stations, an aeroplane runway, rotatable members permanently carried by the aeroplane and co` operating with I(he runway for controlling thecdirection of aeroplane movement while being launched, and co-operating means carried by the runway and aeroplane for preventing movement of the aeroplane from oli the runway when the speed of travel ofthe aeroplane at a predetermined point in its travel in the direction of length of the run` way is insufficient to sustain the aeroplane' in flight, said means including -astop mem` ber carried by the runway, an arm carried by the aeroplane, said arm being normally out of the plane of the stop member during normalv launching act-ion and movable into such plane when launching action is incomplete, and cushioning means rendered active when said stop member and arm are brought into co-operating relation.

11. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like. a frame shift-able from the vertical to the horizontal in the presence of the plane, and means carried by the plane adapted to Contact with the frame during plane flight, said frame being shiftable during speed reduction of the plane motive power, whereby the frame will initi-ally check 'the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefor during the frame shiftingv movements. Y

12. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame shiftable from the vertical to the horizontal in the presence of the the plane, said frame including a net structure, and means c-arried by the plane adapted t contact with the net structure during plane flight, said frame being shiftable during speed reduction of the plane motive power, whereby the net struct-ure will initially check the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefor during the frame shiftin movements.

13. In landmg apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame shift-able from the vertical to the horizontal in the` presence of they plane, said frame comprising a pair of members and a net structure yieldingly supported thereby, and means carried by the .plane and adapted to contact with the net structure during planeflight, said l'frame being shiftable during speed reduction of the plane motive ower, whereby the net structure will initlally check the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefore during the frame shifting movements. f

14. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame s hftable from the vertical to the horizontal in the presence of the plane, said frame comprising a pair of members diverging toward their free ends and a net structure yieldngly supported thereby. and means carried by the plane and adapted to contact with the net structure during plane flight, said frame being shiftable dur- 1ng speed reduction of the plane motive power, whereby the net structure will initially check the advance flight ofthe plane and present a support therefor during the frame shifting movements.

15. In apparatus for launching and landmg aeroplanes or the like, a frame adapted to form a plane support and shiftable be `tween horizontal and vertical positions, said frame and plane having complement-al means whereby the frame, in horizontal position, will support the plane while being launched, and in vertlical' position, wfi'll check the advance flight of the4 plane preplane runway during launching and being movable from such parallel position to present a diverging frame, and a net structure positionable on said diverging frame and adapted to check the flight of the plane preliminary to landing and forming a support for the plane during the landing operation.y

17. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a fra-me shiftable from thel vertical to the horizontal in the presence of the plane, and means carried by the plane adapted to contact with the frame during plane flight, said frame being shiftable during speed reduction of the plane motive power, whereby the frame will initially check the advance flight of the plane and presenta support therefor during the frame shifting movements, said means including a swingingly-supported net structure.

18. In landing appara-tus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame shiftable from the veri tical to the horizontal in the presence of the plane, and means carried by the lane adapted to contact with the frame uring plane flight, said frame beingshiftable during speed reduction of the plane motive power, whereby the frame will initially check the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefor during the frame shifting .movements, said means including sleeves detachably secured to said frame, and a net structure pivotally supported by the sleeves.

19. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame shiftable from the vertical to the horizontal in the presence ofthe plane, and means carried bythe plane ada-pted to contact with the frame during plane flight, said frame being shift-able durlng speed reduction of the plane' motive power, whereby the, frame will initially check the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefor during the frame shifting movements, said means including a swingingly-supported net structure, sa1d net structure having means for normally maintalnlng it in a substantially vertical plane.

20. In landing apparatus for aeroplanes or the like, a frame shiftable from the vertical to the horizontal in the presence of the plane, and means carried bythe plane adapted to contact with the frame during plane flight, said frame being shiftableduring speed reduction of the plane motivevpower,

whereby the frame will initially check the advance flight of the plane and present a support therefor during the frame shifting movements, said means including ay swingingly-sup-ported net structure, said net strucw ture having means for normally maintaining it in a substantially vertical plane, said net structure being weighted to normally maintain it in a substantially vertical plane.

2l. In apparatus adapted to permit landing of sea-planes or th'e like on moving vessels, a frame shiftable from the vertical to the horizontal and carrying means whereby the plane may be landed thereon, said frame being positioned on the vessel in such manner as to permit free contact of plane and said means when the frame is in vertical position, the frame movements toward the horizontal being in directions corresponding to the directions of advancing movement of the vessel.

22. In landing apparatus for aircraft, velocity checking means adapted to be located in an approximately vertical position in the path of the aircraft, and means for supporting said checking means so as to permit it to move in the same direction as that of the laircraft with decreasing speed as the aircrafts speed is checked.

23. In landing apparatus for aircraft, velocity checking means adapted to be located in substantially upright position in the path of the aircraft, and means for supporting said checking means so as to permit it to yieldingly move. in the direction of flight of -the aircraft and, at the same time, to -move downwardly so as to present increased resistance to the advance of the aircraft, and simultaneously increased support beneath the aircraft as its velocity decreases.

Mesures 24. In apparatus for launching aircraft from a predetermined station, the combination with an aeroplane including guide means hung from the plane, a runway at the station comprising. track means, the guide means cooperating with the track means during plane launching movement, the said the path of the aircraft, said means permit-- ting said support to simultaneously advance in the direction of movement of the airplane and also downwardly into substantially hori- Zontal position.

26. In landing apparatus for aircraft, a substantially flat aircraft support, and means for yieldingly maintaining said support normally elevated and transverse to the path of the aircraft, said-means permitting said support to simultaneously advance `in the direction of movement of the airplane and also downwardly into substantially horizontal position under the impact of the aircraft, the construction being such that the forward and downward movement of said support is produced solely by the impact-of the aircraft thereon. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set mA hand.

y JAMES B. HARRISS.

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